*SET-U

English word origin

Etymology of caper

Clipping of capriole.

4 source sectionsExtended source reportWiktionary original ↗
In this entry · 4 source sections

The source etymologies

Wiktionary via Kaikki / Wiktextract

The source reports below are imported and unreviewed by *SET-U. Separate numbered origins and differing source variants are preserved; agreement within this extraction is not independent corroboration.

Source etymology 1

Original entry ↗
verb

To leap or jump about in a sprightly or playful manner. · To jump as part of a dance. · To engage in playful behaviour. · To run at speed.

noun

A playful leap or jump. · A jump while dancing. · A prank or practical joke. · Playful behaviour.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Clipping of capriole.

This page abbreviates 1 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "etymid",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "from goat-referent origins"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "clipping",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "capriole"
      },
      "expansion": "Clipping of capriole"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "capriole",
      "capriole#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "verb",
      "glosses": [
        "To leap or jump about in a sprightly or playful manner.",
        "To jump as part of a dance.",
        "To engage in playful behaviour.",
        "To run at speed."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "recordId": "b1adabc91f7e680559c8fa78448593424a7e80857aaeda6e777710a87eee4540",
      "rawRecordSha256": "6e062e99d919a1ef1aaaf35e730df566d8c1c9e59adec2607309b24614422496",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 235329
    },
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "A playful leap or jump.",
        "A jump while dancing.",
        "A prank or practical joke.",
        "Playful behaviour."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "plural-normally"
      ],
      "recordId": "eb414ff7732ec9ce72250275cc39340f88e72873556d60bccf673a638bca17d2",
      "rawRecordSha256": "4b768e92c24c15ec72bfaa1b362bb7b89c77ba2a4d4359735c8f7a431b4d24e9",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 235328
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 1,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 2

Original entry ↗
noun

The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), which is pickled and eaten. · A plant of the genus Capparis.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

From Latin capparis, from Ancient Greek κάππαρις (kápparis).

Relationships mentioned by the source

These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "etymid",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "from Capparis-referent origins"
      },
      "expansion": ""
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "capparis"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin capparis"
    },
    {
      "name": "der",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "grc",
        "3": "κάππαρις"
      },
      "expansion": "Ancient Greek κάππαρις (kápparis)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "capparis",
      "capparis#Latin"
    ],
    [
      "κάππαρις",
      "κάππαρις#Ancient_Greek"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), which is pickled and eaten.",
        "A plant of the genus Capparis."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "73ee807a7a0e2a45824f580fa6a4faac7bed70439987d995e9082c0a1e33fada",
      "rawRecordSha256": "5a3ec991c284d0fb9aad3dab946fb946173f052b94f4f6ceb95d6b18d678f4be",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 235330
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 3

Original entry ↗
noun

A vessel formerly used by the Dutch; privateer.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Borrowed from Dutch kaper.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [
    {
      "name": "ety",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": ":bor",
        "3": "nl:kaper",
        "text": "+",
        "tree": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "[Appendix:Glossary#loanword|Borrowed]] from\", \"terms\" : [ { \"children\" : [ ], \"lang_name\" : \"Dutch\", \"term\" : \"kaper\", \"status\" : \"missing\", \"lang\" : \"nl\" } ], \"keyword\" : \"bor\" } ], \"lang_name\" : \"English\", \"term\" : \"caper\", \"status\" : \"ok\", \"lang\" : \"en\" }\" data-lang=\"en\" data-title=\"caper\">\nBorrowed from Dutch kaper."
    },
    {
      "name": "ety",
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": ":bor",
        "3": "nl:kaper",
        "text": "+",
        "tree": "1"
      },
      "expansion": "Borrowed from Dutch kaper."
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    [
      "kaper",
      "kaper#Dutch"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "A vessel formerly used by the Dutch; privateer."
      ],
      "tags": [],
      "recordId": "a50773c5f4de76382f6a8923016458cf51358d25574f70dd9a37a250fc47a347",
      "rawRecordSha256": "d7c06df3fc6da722e885875d57673e452660f434ef99214cde0a8697b22f0e0e",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 235331
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Source etymology 4

Original entry ↗
noun

The capercaillie.

Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventory

Shortening of capercaillie.

Inspect preserved source fields

Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.

{
  "templates": [],
  "links": [
    [
      "capercaillie",
      "capercaillie#English"
    ]
  ],
  "references": [],
  "descendants": [],
  "lexical": [
    {
      "pos": "noun",
      "glosses": [
        "The capercaillie."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "Scotland"
      ],
      "recordId": "e5cba4b28aec328472d8f01f6f225deb14e1888ce73a7f0409e43f3d8984980d",
      "rawRecordSha256": "98e359686dd679df7f78b89a8f49f43919a766dea491043434b932cb5e8eed82",
      "sourceRecordOrdinal": 235332
    }
  ],
  "omittedAuxiliaryFields": {
    "templates": 0,
    "links": 0,
    "references": 0,
    "descendants": 0,
    "lexicalRecords": 0,
    "lexicalSenses": 0,
    "glosses": 0
  }
}

Where this record stops

This page does not supply an independently verified sound-change sequence, first-use manuscript or complete family tree unless a cited analysis explicitly establishes one. Missing detail here is a limit of this record—not a claim that humanity knows nothing more.

An older meaning does not determine what a word must mean today. Follow the sources, preserve disagreements, and keep ancestry separate from interpretation.

Contribute located evidence for caper →

Source and snapshot

Imported from Wiktionary contributors; extracted by Tatu Ylonen / Wiktextract / Kaikki.org. Selected fields are reformatted and grouped; wording, source identity and etymology sections are retained. CC-BY-SA-4.0 applies to the imported source material.

Dump: 2026-10-01 · Extracted: 2026-10-30. These are snapshot dates, not the word’s first attestation or the page’s revision date.

Source entry and bibliography ↗Wiktionary revision history ↗Acquisition and rights ledger
Machine-source provenance
Source SHA-256
5ff2c072f8099f2d2ce484bd6957bf179f046d2ad37bc36555edf8bb84cb5291
Import run
73216b9a9b78ed3830994bf853103716f5a4dc57099e371e9f8fdc468facca26
Permanent entry ID
w-Y2FwZXI